BREA, Calif. (May 30, 2006) — Veterinary Pet Insurance Co. (VPI), the nation’s oldest and largest pet health insurance provider, has created a new seven-member Veterinary Advisory Board (VAB) whose purpose is to provide insight and guidance to VPI regarding industry trends and practices. The group, which met for the first time in March 2006, will enhance the company’s ability to support and communicate to the veterinary community and pet owners.

The VAB is comprised of the following leading veterinary and business professionals: VAB chairman Gene A. Foehl, Esq.; Tom R. Kendall, DVM, CVPM; Alan R. Klag, DVM, DACVIM; Sheldon (Shelly) B. Rubin, DVM; Margaret (Peggy) J. Rucker, DVM; Joni M. Samuels, DVM; and Jim F. Wilson, DVM, JD.

“VPI’s new Veterinary Advisory Board is comprised of veterinary and business experts who bring a valuable perspective to VPI on our practices, products, and strategic business initiatives,” said Dennis Drent, VPI’s president and CEO. “Although VPI has multiple veterinarians on staff, we believe an outside group of industry professionals can further enhance our knowledge and support of the veterinary community.”

The VAB includes three former members of VPI’s board of directors. One of VPI’s founders, Jim Wilson, DVM, JD, is a veterinary practice management and legal consultant from Yardley, Pa., who teaches law, ethics, business management, and professional career development to veterinary students at 20 different schools. A California small animal practitioner for 13 years and the medical director at the University of Pennsylvania for two years, he has authored six books and more than 125 articles in veterinary journals covering a practitioner’s approach to optimal ear care, animal and veterinary law, practice management topics, and the importance of pet insurance in the future of the profession.

Also an original VPI board member, Dr. Tom Kendall is a California practitioner at the Arden Animal Hospital in Sacramento and a consultant on veterinary practice evaluations and mergers. He served as vice president for the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and president for the California Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA).

Mr. Gene Foehl has a law practice in Media, Pa., and on the eastern shore of Maryland. He previously served as chairman of the board for VPI from the early to late 1990s.

The VAB also includes members with no previous affiliation with VPI. An Illinois practitioner at Blum Animal Hospital and its chief of staff, Dr. Sheldon Rubin is the past president of the Chicago Veterinary Medical Association. A renowned national radio and television spokesperson for responsible pet care, Dr. Rubin’s accolades include Practitioner of the Year Award 2003 (American Animal Hospital Association), Lifetime Achievement Merit Award (Chicago Veterinary Medical Association), the President’s Award (Illinois State Veterinary Medical Association), and the Award of Merit from the Chicago Veterinary Medical Association.

The VAB is rounded out by Dr. Joni Samuels of Buellton, Calif., past president of the CVMA and a member of the AVMA Executive Board for six years; Dr. Alan Klag, a Langhorne, Pa., practitioner, diplomat of the American College of Veterinary Medicine and board certified internist with prior experience working in the pet health insurance industry; and Dr. Margaret Rucker of Virginia, past president of the American Animal Hospital Association.